This is the 2nd episode in a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward hosted by Lee Safar.
Our guest on the podcast in this series is Pete Licata, co-founder of the brand new roasted coffee brand Caffeine Control Coffee and 2013 World Barista Champion.
This series focuses on the idea that our coffee industry is at a turning point. We examine the industry's past, present, and future and explore challenging questions that may prove sobering over time.
In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Pete explore the significance and implications of coffee competitions.
The discussion revolves around how winning such events, particularly the World Barista Championship, can transform careers. They delve into the substantial financial benefits, networking opportunities, and career shifts that result from these competitions.
However, Lee and Pete also critically examine the current state of the competition ecosystem, discussing its elitism, financial barriers, and whether it truly advances the coffee industry. They consider the potential for more meaningful uses of time and resources towards solving industry-wide issues.
The episode concludes with a reflection on the need for evolving and diversifying the methods by which the coffee industry moves forward.
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